Blaydon’s New Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) is now offically open and Blaydon’s Funday was a great success

 

Another great day to be entered into the numerous memorable days in the history of Blaydon RFC, only tainted by the wrong result on the field, as Blaydon loose out to a more determined Hull RFC side.

Bill Locke hosted the event as Blaydon President

Robin Wannop represented the RFU Board and explained the background to the ARP Programme and presented the club with a commemorative Vase

Madam Mayor Jill Green cut the ribbon on the AGP to declare it open.

 

 

Our guests  for the pre-match lunch included:

• Joining Bill on the top table:
  • Madam Mayor Jill Green
  • Cllr Sonya Hawkins
  • Cllr Malcolm Brain
  • Robin Wannop RFU
  • Steve Grainger RFU
  • Matt Bryan RFU
  • David Sawyer – President of Durham RFU
• Other guest included:
  • Past Presidents and Chairman of the Executive
  • Past Club Captains
  • Volunteers who help with the organisation of things like; Carboot, Bonfire, Beerfestival, Funday, etc.

 

 

A 100 Squares competition to raise funds for our partner Charity Wooden Spoon was run during the lunch with the prize being a Phil Vickery signed England Shirt – there we a few squares left, which we will follow up this week and announce the winner via social media. Click here for Wooden Spoon Story

 

Alongside the AGP Pitch Opening Ceremony Blaydon hosted a Funday with various rugby games and tester sessions, as well as a range of things to provide entertainment; Virtual reality, Bouncy Castles Roundabouts, etc.

It is intended that this Funday becomes an Annual Event, our thanks to following for making the Funday a success:

• Kelly Vinnicombe, Elaine Parker for Organising – we better also say Vinnie, he must have helped somehow, surely…
• To the clubs who provided opposition for the youth teams
• To the many helpers who helped the day run well:
  •  Elaine again, Charlie & Catherine Brown, Damien & Adele Ameer-Beg
  • Our referees: Jason Leng and Ian Kelly.
  • Scott Gordon and Andy Lane for sorting fixtures
  • Matt T for the use of the orbs which the kids loved,
  • Other parent helpers: Julie Pickett, Karen Rapley, Jo Craddock, Andrea Hall, The Lisle Family, Donna Gray, Elaine Harwood, Sarah Wilson, The Simpsons, Lucy Wilkinson, The Millicans, Lisa Armstrong, Dan Tedstill, Joe Ferguson, Leigh Ferguson, Bradley Sturrock, Jon Chapman, Barry the DJ
  • and of course Northumbria Police Dog officers who gave up their day off to do the display
  • and we hope we didn’t miss anyone,

thanks to all, from Blaydon President & Club Executive Committee

thanks to Ian Peel, Donna Owens, Dave Miller and yours truly for the photos